rugby officiating

i have said this 100 times but seems like water off a duck's back to many, then post cup we will have to listen to the usual tripe bout how this team won because they did this or that. The reality is refs will have a huge hand in deciding what team makes it how far, and as we surely havent seen the last bit of controversy in this cup, will quite possibly decide the semis, finalists & even the eventual champ. Sepp Blatter would be in heaven controlling our sport if people really did like debating refereeing incompetency.

keep reading the comments for the crap that's been whistled up so far this world cup.

All Blacks v France

wow...nearly a mistake free 1st 40? Personally i was a little disappointed, i was all hyped up expecting a torrid physical battle over the 1st 20mins but it never seemed to eventuate. It was almost as if the ABs had a premeditated plan to not challenge the Frogs on their own ruck ball, soak up the pressure that they knew France would throw at them in the opening stanza, then exert their own stamp on the game. From the moment Nonu slipped between 2 defenders with apparent ease it seemed as if the French didnt want to know about him.

But yet again refereeing had an effect on the game. Cory Jane's clashing with his opposite was all fair, though 1 could argue the subsequent wrapping of his arms deserved a penalty & a yellow card. I think anything more than a penalty would have been harsh as often a player in the air will wrap round his opposite purely for the safety of the both of them. Anyway...nothing malicious, and though a card could have turned the game somewhat it's hard to believe this would have been anything other than an All Black victory. Special mention must go to the Italian touchjudge who flagged Kaino for his "elbow" on yachvili......we're not playing tiddly winks remember.

Great to see Carter running again. With the amount of inside balls added to his & Weepu's probing close to the rucks we may finally start to see some space opening up for our ever dangerous outside backs. Will be great to have Read back next week & on the track before the knock out stages and big a fan as I am of Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock is a gem that looks more polished every game. A huge find for the ABs. Congrats King Richie....can see an embarrassing but deserved monument going up at Whatever It's Called Next Stadium in Christchurch. Commiserations to Mils....barring injury to Dagg, truly looks like he'll be stranded. Still...it's just a number and not many people can say they played 99 tests for the All Blacks.

Kia Kaha

rugby

cant believe bryce lawrence was ranked top tri nations ref....hes weak